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OBSCURE
HISTORIES
BRINGING HISTORY TO LIGHT
Dana Rovang
- Oct 7, 2022
- 8 min
James Tilly Matthews: Bedlam patient and catalyst for "Madhouse" reform
The history of James Tilly Matthews and the reform of Bedlam Asylum.
202
Dana Rovang
- Feb 3, 2022
- 8 min
Phillis Wheatley: A Black and enslaved poet who helped shape Revolutionary America
Phillis Wheatley (1753-1784), was a Black and enslaved poet who lived in the American Colonies during the Revolutionary War. Through her...
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Brendan Wolfe
- Nov 22, 2021
- 7 min
A War by Any Other Name
CONFLICT IN THE AMERICAN COLONIES When the English landed at Jamestown, Virginia was in the middle of a seven-year drought and the worst...
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Brendan Wolfe
- Nov 22, 2021
- 4 min
PAQUIQUINEO (DON LUIS)
Virginia Indian Traveled throughout Early Modern World Paquiquineo was a Virginia Indian who for nine years traveled throughout the...
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Julia Chen
- Nov 22, 2021
- 3 min
THE PILGRIMS' BAN ON CHRISTMAS
Christmas Festivities Forbidden in17th Century American Colonies Christmas was once outlawed in Boston, and festive cheer was greeted...
204
Michael Gott
- Nov 22, 2021
- 4 min
NIELS STENSEN: MEDICI PHYSICIAN AND FATHER OF MODERN GEOLOGY
Used Shark Teeth to Argue for Sedimentation in Rock Creation Niels Stensen (or, Nicolas Steno, 1638-1686) was a Danish anatomist who...
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Michael Gott
- Nov 22, 2021
- 3 min
JAPANESE TEMPLE GEOMETRY
Japanese temple geometry refers to the practice of carving verbal geometrical problems, theorems, and shapes into wooden tablets and...
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Michael Gott
- Nov 22, 2021
- 3 min
Hanaoka Seishu
Surgeon Developed General Anesthesia in Edo, Japan Hanaoka Seishu is the first person on record to have performed a successful surgery...
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Dana Rovang
- Nov 22, 2021
- 2 min
Dr. Gustavus Katterfelto and his "Live Insects"
In 1781-82, an influenza pandemic swept through Europe. A scientific lecturer and magician, Gustavus Katterfelto, had recently arrived to...
38
Herbert Wignall
- Jun 10, 2015
- 4 min
The Mary Rose
A CAUTIONARY TALE: The Story Behind the Stamp In April 1509, Henry VIII became king. He was just 17. With a foresight perhaps belying...
21
Brendan Wolfe
- Mar 13, 2015
- 3 min
LITTLE ICE AGE
Climate Change was Important Even at Jamestown The Little Ice Age is what scientists call a period that lasted from about 1300 to 1750....
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